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Writing and publishing enthusiast, Sue Breeding, of Columbus held a poetry contest through the month of July. There was a $5 submission fee for each poem submitted. Poems had to be original work of the individual submitting and could not be more than 20 lines. The top entry would win $25, as well as a half off discount for publishing their poetry.

Due to knowing Sue through referring Rana Wetzel, Rena Blake Dillman, Janicc Lawson, and Michael Vernon Harding, I suggested to Carol Ashbrook that she enter this contest, She did while submitting three, and four different judges read all entries at different times with Carol's poem “Color Carousel” chosen as the top entry. Her other poems did quite well, too.

Of course, Carol is thrilled and is now working on her first poetry book which she hopes to be published in 2026. It will contain many poems, some Haiku, many with pictures. I first realized Carol's writing abilities when she shared her poem “Happiness Is A State Of Mind” as a tribute to her brother, Roger, and later when she would share poems inspired by books and discussions at Ponderings Book Study which I have facilitated for years. Since that time, she has sent an uplifting Haiku every day to me and others with a related picture that helps the reader visualize the meaning.

“The Color Carousel” poem includes a wonderful earthly scene and starts with:
“I begin again
As if I'm setting sail
On a ride as old as Earth herself called
The Color Carousel”

Carol is a noticer of the beauty of the earth and is inspired by it as she walks and/or rides a bicycle each day. With this poem, she calls the attention of the reader to the earth's beauty with related descriptive lines. Carol stressed, “Something is always new and changing!” During the HSJ Benefit on Saturday, November 1 at WILLow LeaVes, Sue Breeding will be reading this poem as well as one of her own poems, “Coffee Art.” Sue has several books on Amazon and is excited to help Carol publish her first book.

Carol was first inspired to write by her parents, Betty and Bob. Bob enjoyed tongue twisters. Betty would read and recite short poems and ask Carol and her brother, Scott, to recite them at a very young age. In church, Carol would stand up and share them with the congregation. Music has always been an important part of Carol's life. She said, “My best babysitter was WNDE 1260 when I would listen to tunes by Bob Dylan, the Eagles, and others, likely why I have a great appreciation for song lyrics and singing.”

For years, Carol has kept a journal. She stated, “Writing is who I am; it is a way for me to communicate my love for everything on God's earth; it keeps my brain active; it helps me remain a kid. And, I like to express myself through art, another creative outlet for me.”

Carol resides around Schaefer Lake with her husband, Paul, and their two dogs they consider family, Merle and Pearl. When waking up each morning, she looks out the window of their home and thinks of the song “How Great Thou Art” because of the splendor of the view. Carol is an inspiration to many, and I just tuned to “How Great Thou Art” with Carrie Underwood singing it to look out my window while finalizing this article. Undoubtedly, she will continue to write and very possibly be inspired to publish another book.